Veteran Indian opener Rohit Sharma announced an epic comeback to T20 Internationals with splendid batting heroics against Afghanistan. Team India squared off against the young Afghanistan team yesterday in the third and last T20I affair of the home series. Witnessed by a packed Bangalore crowd, the fixture ended in a thriller, boasting two consecutive super overs which saw hosts India win at last.

Rohit Sharma was named the Player of the Match in the third India-Afghanistan T20I after scoring a daddy hundred followed by a blitz in the super overs. During his 69-ball stay at the crease, Sharma produced an unbeaten 121-run innings before scoring 22 runs across two super overs. It was a rare occasion in which a batter batted thrice during a T20 affair.

𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙩! 👌 pic.twitter.com/WuA79E9YO7

— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) January 18, 2024

Why Did Rohit Sharma Retire Out In The Super Over vs Afghanistan?

Rohit Sharma, surprisingly, decided to retire himself out in the first super over yesterday. The episode occurred on the final delivery of the over when Sharma found himself on the non-striker’s end. The opener called in middle-order batter Rinku Singh as his substitute for the last ball to ensure faster running between the wickets, virtually sacrificing his wicket.

During a post-match chat with the broadcasters, India head coach Rahul Dravid was asked for his reaction to Rohit Sharma retiring. Dravid lauded Sharma, comparing his tactical genius with Ravi Ashwin. “Taking himself out was Ashwin-level thinking. That’s Ash-level thinking,”  said Dravid while recalling the clever move by the India captain.

Rahul Dravid said "Rohit Sharma has led by example when the team was 22 for 4". [JioCinema] pic.twitter.com/z15NJe3geH

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 17, 2024

Here’s what Rohit Sharma said after his Player of the Match performance in Bangalore:

“I don’t remember when was the last time this happened. I think I batted 3 times in one of the IPL games. Creating the partnership was important and we (Rinku and I) kept talking to each other to not lose that intent in big games and it was a good game for us to be in, the pressure was there, and was important to bat long and deep and not compromise on the intent we want to show.”